SCA increases prices on publication paper

Stora Enso has decided to invest EUR 45 million in a new production unit for cross laminated timber (CLT) in connection with its Gruvön Mill in Sweden. The investment will further enhance Stora Enso’s position as a global provider of high quality engineered wooden elements and as a market leader in CLT. The production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2019. The estimated yearly capacity of the production line will be approximately 100 000 m³ after ramp-up, subject to required approvals being in place. The investment is expected to generate annual sales of approximately EUR 50 million when run at full capacity and over time significantly exceed the Wood Products division’s profitability target, operational return on operating capital (ROOC) of 18%. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Helen Mets, President and CEO, comments on second quarter 2024: Ahlstrom delivered another strong performance in Q2. Our profitability improved once again, while cash flow remains solid. Obsessed with our customers and the markets we serve; we launched several innovative new products − including fluorochemical-free filtration and paper-based pet food materials − to meet the growing need for safe and sustainable solutions. We also refined our strategy and streamlined our organization to accelerate our growth transformation. In addition, our Q2 pulse survey showed an increase in employee engagement. The latest engagement score places Ahlstrom close to the level of the top 10% of companies in the manufacturing industry. I am proud of the progress that we continue to deliver. During the second quarter, market activity continued to strengthen. Adjusted for Stenay divestiture deliveries increased compared to both the previous quarter and the previous year. Comparable EBITDA also grew, supported by an increasingly strong margin on variable cost per ton. This improvement can be attributed largely to our transformation initiatives, including disciplined price management and cost efficiency measures. Overall, cash flow remained solid, supported by the higher profitability, efficient working capital management, and sustainable lower capital expenditure.

Reality is setting in for about 225 paper mill workers in Camas. Layoffs announced in November 2017 are now underway. Many losing their jobs have worked at the mill for decades. Workers expressed a lot of sadness, grieving the loss of jobs they spent decades doing. The decision is forever changing the city that was built around it. “There's been a paper mill in Camas for 138 years,” Korhonen said. “We were proud to make paper in Camas." Click Read More below for additional information.